Modeled after the National Institute for Trial Advocacy's program for teaching practicing lawyers, Emory Law's program is the largest in the country and is recognized as one of the nation's finest. The American College of Trial Lawyers has twice conferred on Emory's program the Emil Gumpert Award for excellence in the teaching of trial advocacy.

The program's teaching methodology focuses on integrating the second-year law student's knowledge of substantive evidence with practical trial skills through a "learn-by-doing" format. Trial experience is supplemented by a textbook, lectures, and discussions. During two sessions in the spring semester, students develop theories for particular witness examinations, decide on appropriate approaches to bring out the facts consistent with their theories, prepare witnesses, and conduct direct and cross-examinations using current courtroom technology in the use of exhibits.

The Trial Techniques Program

The program consists of two sessions.

Spring Semester: Friday afternoon preparatory workshops at downtown Atlanta law firms and public law offices. Students work closely with experienced trial lawyers in groups as small as six to eight students per trial instructor.

May Session: Emory Law hosts 80 nationally known trial lawyers, judges, and trial teachers who bring their different styles and regional perspectives to aid in students’ growth and development as advocates, resulting in an 8 to 1 student/trial instructor ratio. The May session includes seven days of intensive workshops on trial techniques, during which each student will try a bench and jury trial.

Pedagogical Goals

Integrate case analysis and relevance to provide improved understanding of each and their critical relationship to one another.

Teach hearsay and character evidence concepts in the context of direct and cross-examination.

Provide practice at building evidentiary foundations, authenticating exhibits, and making and refuting objections to better understand the Federal Rules of Evidence on original writings, authentication, relevance, and hearsay and to help bring about better chain of custody foundations.

Develop greater sensitivity for the understanding of audience and the relationship to the development of theories and themes through jury voir dire exercises.

Strengthen the art of persuasiveness in the presentation of evidence through exercises that familiarize and build confidence in the use of technology to display exhibits.

Attendance throughout the program is MANDATORY and program sessions cannot be missed without an excused absence. Excused absences will not be granted for either of the trial days during the May session, May 8 and 11, as you must serve on those days either as trial counsel or as a witness. An excused absence cannot exceed more than 4 hours of class time (either one spring semester workshop or half a day during the intensive May session).Any unexcused absence or more than one excused absence may result in students receiving a grade of incomplete in the program and repetition of all or a portion of the program may be required the following year. All requests for an excused absence must be submitted via this form: https://emorylaw.wufoo.com/forms/kesslereidson-program-request-for-excused-absence/